An Open Letter to President Obama on Pro Life and Abortion

January 26, 2009

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Mr. President,

Peace and Good in Christ!

I congratulate you on your election, and the glorious inaugural. Along with millions of others here, and around the world, I was moved to tears at this historic achievement in our nation's history. As a Catholic based integrated monastic community of celibates, singles who can marry, and families, and a domestic expression who live in their own homes throughout the world, we stand with you on so many issues. We pray for you as you try to revive our failing economy, on bringing a more just peace to the world, on health care reform, and on environmental issues. However we are most concerned about your stand on abortion.

I believe that the ultimate way for the Pro Life movement to change abortion in our country is to change the hearts of people, especially mothers and irresponsible fathers, through compassionate and loving dialogue about the wonderful mystery of life and deep reverence for its process. Hateful and misdirected accusations and threats do not really work. However, in the interim we continue to try to change laws and their judicial interpretation that end the lives of the most vulnerable in the world, the unborn.

In the name of our community, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in the name of God I respectfully encourage you to rethink your position and policy on abortion. You could easily waste the political capital of the over 50 million pro life Catholics, plus millions of other pro life Christians, believers, and those of good will who helped to get you elected on the other above positive issues. Find below a link to my letter calling our people to united action with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on this issue. I think that they, and many, many others will raise their voices as well. Please seriously listen to our voices.

You continue in our heartfelt prayers. We continue to support you on the many other issues mentioned above. God bless you.

In Jesus,

John Michael Talbot
Founder and Spiritual Father
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

Link:www.JohnMichaelTalbot.Com